Ocean Currents

What is an ocean current?

• A. A vertical movement of air through the atmosphere

• B. A horizontal flow of water through the ocean

• C. A large wave moving towards the shore

• D. A seasonal change in ocean temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How many main types of currents are there in the ocean?

• A. 1

• B. 2

• C. 3

• D. 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes surface currents?

• A. The rotation of the Earth

• B. The gravitational pull of the moon

• C. The movement of aquatic animals

• D. The wind

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Where do deep currents occur?

• A. Near the surface of the ocean

• B. Far below the ocean's surface

• C. At the shoreline

• D. In freshwater lakes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What drives convection currents within Earth's oceans?

• A. The Moon

• B. The Sun

• C. Oceanic volcanoes

• D. Human activities

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the Coriolis Effect?

• The direct path of wind and ocean currents on Earth

• The apparent curvature of wind and ocean currents due to the rotation of Earth

• The change in ocean salinity due to Earth's magnetic field

• The seasonal change in wind direction

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In which direction do ocean currents circulate in the northern hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect?

• Counterclockwise

• Clockwise

• Directly northward

• Directly southward

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is the direction of ocean current circulation in the southern hemisphere as influenced by the Coriolis effect?

• Clockwise

• Counterclockwise

• Directly eastward

• Directly westward

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What do ocean currents near the poles bring to the area in which they circulate?

• Warm water

• Salt water

• Cool water

• Fresh water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following is an example of a current that brings cool water to the area it circulates?

• Gulf Stream current

• Equatorial current

• California current

• Indian Ocean current

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6